David Michael Rossman, age 65 and 3/4, of Rochester died October 3, 2012 at home surrounded by his family.  He lived courageously for fifteen months with a brain tumor. We will all miss his impish, dry sense of Irish humor and the twinkle in his blue eyes.

He was born October 8, 1946 in Rochester, Minnesota to Mark and Florence Rossman who farmed near Douglas, Minnesota.  David and Kristine Marie Berlin were married in St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, Wayzata, Minnesota May 23 ^rd , 1970.

David graduated from Lourdes High School and Rochester Junior College with an Associate of Arts degree.  He continued his education at the University of Minnesota graduating with high honors with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering. He earned his professional license while employed by the City of St. Paul, Minnesota.  David moved to Rochester in 1974, becoming the Design Engineer for the Public Works Department.  He served the City as Transportation Engineer from 1978 until his retirement in 2001.

He was a man of great integrity during his professional career; a gentle leader, a patient mentor, and creative engineer.  Dave was a member and officer in the Southeast Chapter of the Minnesota Society of Professional Engineers and a member of the North Central Institute of Transportation Engineers.  He sought to improve Rochester's downtown parking through the transportation committee of the Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Parking Institute.  As a member of Rochester Olmsted County Council of Government (ROCOG) and the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) he was active in helping develop a network of trails for biking and hiking.

David was later employed by the URS Corporation as traffic engineer for the ROC 52 and the Oronoco Highway 52 projects.  During that time he earned his Professional Transportation Operations Engineer certificate (PTOE).  He served as senior project manager for both Bonestroo and Yaggy Colby Engineering firms.  In 2011 he was appointed to the State Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience, and Interior Design (AELSLAGID) by Governor Mark Dayton.

David was a founding member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, serving as lector and choir member. He was also a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus.  His honey sales at the K of C breakfasts were donated to their charities. He was honored in 2012 with the Knight of the Year Award from Council 11460.  David was also appointed to the Rochester Catholic Cemetery Board, serving for fourteen years.

He helped to establish parish councils across the Diocese of Winona and was presented with the Bishop's medal for his efforts.  David taught confirmation students and accompanied church youth on mission trips. Along with his wife Kristine, he mentored couples prior to marriage and belonged to Teams of Our Lady for thirty-three years.  Living his faith was very important to him.

Volunteering was a way David gave back to our community by being a guardian/conservator for vulnerable adults and by reading the local newspaper over the radio for the blind and visually impaired.

He enjoyed being outdoors, hence his thirty-four years as a hobby beekeeper, avid bicyclist, and hunter.  He was a steward of God's creation and had an ecological sensitivity that he practiced when camping, canoeing, and hiking with his family.

He is survived his wife Kristine and two daughters, Catherine (Chad) McDonald and their children Connor and Liam of Hudson, WI and Sarah (Ryan) Gilgenbach and their children, Sophia, Aidan, and Nia of Mound, MN.  David is also survived by his sister Mary (Chuck) Nagy of Schaumberg, Illinois; brother James (Brenda) Rossman of Douglas, Minnesota; and sister Florence of Rochester, Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his son Benjamin who died October 11, 1977 of aplastic anemia and his parents.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated Noon on Friday October 5, 2012 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church officiated by Reverend Donald J. Schmitz. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Friends may call from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, October 4, 2012 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church and one hour prior to the funeral Mass.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a charity of your choice, Brains Together for a Cure, Holy Spirit Knights of Columbus, or Maryknoll Brothers and Sisters.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com